Michael Swerdloff

Social Change & Human Rights

Moses and Mandela, Mahatma and Martin, Rosa and Rumi, Marianne and Maya, John and Jackie, Francis and Freida. We each have our own list of those who have come before us and dedicated their lives to social change and human rights. The list may differ, but the need to make the world fair and balanced we share. Deep down, I sinse we all truly want equality. Fear, self-centeredness and programming from our families and society may distort our need to work towards a common good, but trust me, it is their inside of you. We were born with it!

We all need connection and community. We may define community differently. Some of us want deeper connections than others, or at least it appears that way on the surface. But our innate need for connection and community goes back thousands of years before our current state of chaos and mess. When I have experienced greatness in myself or others, it has always been rooted in humility and service. Again, fear and self-centeredness can be great obstacles to achieving greatness as individuals, communities, society and a species. Fear and self-centeredness can be overcome, arrogance, ignorance and laziness not as easily.

Three of my favorite quotes seem helpful…
“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
“The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House.” ~ Audre Lorde
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~ Albert Einstein

“Michael is one of those guys that you can always count on. He goes the extra mile and then some. I worked side-by-side with Michael for more than five years and never saw him disrespect another adult or youth, not once. He has compassion, respect and integrity and shows up for everything solid. He really is best at getting to know kids and their families quickly, he just seems to know what they need and how to offer it to them immediately. He is very intuitive. He is kind of a weirdo but teenagers love that aspect of his personality. He laughs and plays when that is needed, focused and intense when that is what will work best. He definitely tends to focus more on what people are good at and their strengths, then what they are stuck in. He is flexible and creative. Michael has a good understanding of race, culture, social class and gender struggles and is not afraid to stand up for others that he might not share the same struggles with. He has lead rallies, marches and major events without ego or territorial stuff getting in the way. I will continue to refer Michael to anyone who needs to make real changes in their life.”
Arturo